2.9L Keep it or swap it??

[SmokeEater829]

I've been doing a lot of reading and thinking about what to do with my B2. I'm not looking for more power out of her. All I use the truck for is running around the hunting lease. And it's gonna do that just fine. I'm more worried about reliability.

I've been looking at some rebuild kits in the $500-$600 range. I'm also figuring on $300 or so in machine work. So for about a grand, I could have my motor completely rebuilt.

On the other hand, all the viable swap donor vehicles I've come across are in the $600-$800 range. I'm also pretty sure that any engine I get for that price range is gonna need at least some freshening up.

I'm thinking the rebuild is gonna be the easier and cheaper. But my buddy is really trying to talk me into the 4.0L swap.

Let me hear y'alls opinions on this.

 

[chilsam]

4.0

Don't look back!

 

[disciplerocks]

Swap

 

[cody93]

swap, aslong as its a good 4.0, no point getting one just to have to rebuild too

 

[Psychopete]

If you have a good 4.0l donor available that you can hear run and check for leaks before buying, yeah, do that if you have the time, tools, and knowledge of what is going on.

 

[SmokeEater829]

I don't have a donor vehicle. Would have to find one. I was just thinking that rebuilding the 2.9 would end up being the cheaper route.

 

[dave2575]

The 2.9 rebuild would be quicker, easier and less expensive IMHO, you already know what you have and where it all goes. To do a 4.0 swap don't forget about all the little stuff, trans, exhaust, ecu, wiring, radiator, adapters and fabrication, you know the little stuff. Like everyone else already said if you have a good donor 4.0 and all the little stuff then definitely go with the 4.0.

 

[Psychopete]

I was just thinking that rebuilding the 2.9 would end up being the cheaper route.

There's really no way to know for sure. Unexpected expenses are bound to happen no matter what way you go. Rebuilds are not cheap, and you don't know what the engine needs until it's apart.

 

[FordRanger1991]

The 2.9 can be a very reliable engine if it is taken care of and especially if it is rebuilt. I use mine for a 250 mile (one way) drive between school and home about every other weekend. I rebuilt my engine a while ago before i started school and it has been a very good engine. I have made the drive probably 20-30 times with no problems at all. I get 18 mpg free way. My truck is lifted with 33's and 4.56 gears and with that those 6% grades on the free way are a peace of cake. People down talk the 2.9 sometimes when it is actually a pretty good engine. If your just going to use it for some hunting i think it would be great if you don't want to try to learn the details for a swap.